2024 WNBA Season Discussion Thread

[cdubbz]

Yeah if Indiana lets Mitchell walk someone needs to be fired. She's way too good.

Hard to see her to want to leave. Hope she sticks around to win a Championship with Boston, Clark, & Smith. Homegrown draft picks winning a ring together. Fever have dynasty potential with the young roster.

[Wingy]

Yeah if Indiana lets Mitchell walk someone needs to be fired. She's way too good.

Hard to see her to want to leave. Hope she sticks around to win a Championship with Boston, Clark, & Smith. Homegrown draft picks winning a ring together. Fever have dynasty potential with the young roster.

Someone posted a Kelsey interview here not that long ago. Her quote made it seem like she didn’t seem enthused at all about the idea of returning. Time will tell what she actually does, but I’d have been disappointed if I were a passionate fan of any team/any sport and heard that response.

Maybe she was having a bad day, bad moment, but it should be near automatic to be able to deliver a canned line in that situation, especially as a pro. Yet she couldn’t even muster that up.

I found it in another message board, but couldn’t find a link-

Kelsey Mitchell on her reaction to the Fever hosting the 2025 ASG: “I guess, I was excited. Obviously, I’ve been in Indy for the last years of my life. But I’m excited that Indy gets a chance to host it. Shoutout to Indy for that, I’m excited for them.”

I saw the video. It was just as bad as the above could sound. Seemed like she had to try hard to get the positive words out, and the “for them” was really eyebrow raising.

[jaymo123]

With the increase in salary next year, the Fever shouldn't have an issue paying her. A question for her is when she get the looks and opportunities she gets without Caitlin playing next to her? They could become a very dynamic duo for years to come.

[cdubbz]

Yeah if Indiana lets Mitchell walk someone needs to be fired. She's way too good.

Hard to see her to want to leave. Hope she sticks around to win a Championship with Boston, Clark, & Smith. Homegrown draft picks winning a ring together. Fever have dynasty potential with the young roster.

Someone posted a Kelsey interview here not that long ago. Her quote made it seem like she didn’t seem enthused at all about the idea of returning. Time will tell what she actually does, but I’d have been disappointed if I were a passionate fan of any team/any sport and heard that response.

Maybe she was having a bad day, bad moment, but it should be near automatic to be able to deliver a canned line in that situation, especially as a pro. Yet she couldn’t even muster that up.

I found it in another message board, but couldn’t find a link-

Kelsey Mitchell on her reaction to the Fever hosting the 2025 ASG: “I guess, I was excited. Obviously, I’ve been in Indy for the last years of my life. But I’m excited that Indy gets a chance to host it. Shoutout to Indy for that, I’m excited for them.”

I saw the video. It was just as bad as the above could sound.

Yeah that was interesting! I thought the same as you -- it was just as bad as it sounded. Maybe she's a big city girl and doesn't like living in that area is a thought I had, but she also said she's never been a free agent and is excited to see how that goes. Fever are in a good spot i think in terms of big contracts since Boston, Clark aren't due for a few years.

[ellobo]

Great game between Indiana and Dallas, with great individual performances from Arike and Satou, Clark and Mitchell. I thought the Fever's defensive strategy for most of the game was too focused on helping on Dallas's bigs, and then trying to rotate to Arike and Satou. I thought they should have taken their chances blanketing Arike and Satou and playing the bigs straight up. I'd rather just let McCowan, Brown, and Howard try to make iso shots than help off Arike and Satou.

I feel like I don't even need to watch Lynx games. I can just read the Hermes play by play .

I saw a stat online that Clark now has the 2nd most 25+ points/10+ assists games in WNBA history, one behind Sabrina. Clark had another game of 24 points and 19 assists, which kind of underscores how silly these arbitrary stat line records are, but it's still extremely impressive.

It's crazy how at the beginning of the year, a lot of Fever fans absolutely hated Mitchell and Sides. Now they all love Mitchell (deservedly so), and they're even starting to come around on Sides. And I saw this quote from Mitchell after the game today: "I know what the bottom feels like and I don't wanna be there no more." That doesn't sound like someone who wants out. She and Clark have developed great chemistry where they can make things happen individually when they need to, but they play with and off each other extremely well, on and off ball.

I'm sorry I missed A'ja going off today even though the game wasn't competitive.

[jc23]

Dallas is better then Chicago or Atlanta. I initially wanted to see the sky make the playoffs but nah to that now.

[cupcakesnake]

Dallas is better then Chicago or Atlanta. I initially wanted to see the sky make the playoffs but nah to that now.

The Dallas defense is complete jokes.

[Wingy]

Yeah that was interesting! I thought the same as you -- it was just as bad as it sounded. Maybe she's a big city girl and doesn't like living in that area is a thought I had, but she also said she's never been a free agent and is excited to see how that goes. Fever are in a good spot i think in terms of big contracts since Boston, Clark aren't due for a few years.

Ah, found it. You figure a 7th season vet would know how that would be perceived.
Alas, it could be a nothing burger.

She did go to Ohio State, so the midwest should be nothing new.

I don’t think she holds any kind of personal dislike, but wonder if she doesn’t love the Clark hoopla and being relegated to being in her shadow?

eg - scores 36 in a win today. Headline on ESPN’s recap is about Clark having 28.

Read on Twitter

[jc23]

Mitchell being in Clark's shadow shouldnt be an issue. She spent the last few years being the teams best player so she knows what that is like. If she just wanst to live somewhere else that is another thing. Also, it would not be smart to jump off the gravy train, Fever players are going to get a ton of exposure and that means money in your pockets.

[Wingy]

And I saw this quote from Mitchell after the game today: "I know what the bottom feels like and I don't wanna be there no more." That doesn't sound like someone who wants out. She and Clark have developed great chemistry where they can make things happen individually when they need to, but they play with and off each other extremely well, on and off ball.

I'm sorry I missed A'ja going off today even though the game wasn't competitive.

Good to hear the newest/latest since they are a fun combo.

Indy’s looking to have the best combo of cap space + bright future. Because of CC/AB rookie deals, looks to me like they could realistically resign Kelsey, then maybe go for say, the German connection in Sabally and Fiebich.

Move them in as starters, get Hull/Smith bolstering the bench, and natural progression by CC/AB…that’s a squad.

[ellobo]

And I saw this quote from Mitchell after the game today: "I know what the bottom feels like and I don't wanna be there no more." That doesn't sound like someone who wants out. She and Clark have developed great chemistry where they can make things happen individually when they need to, but they play with and off each other extremely well, on and off ball.

I'm sorry I missed A'ja going off today even though the game wasn't competitive.

Good to hear the newest/latest since they are a fun combo.

Indy’s looking to have the best combo of cap space + bright future. Because of CC/AB rookie deals, looks to me like they could realistically resign Kelsey, then maybe go for say, the German connection in Sabally and Fiebich.

Move them in as starters, get Hull/Smith bolstering the bench, and natural progression by CC/AB…that’s a squad.

Of course Sabally would be great, but Fiebich is under contract for the next three years after this season, with the last year a team option.

[Wingy]

Of course Sabally would be great, but Fiebich is under contract for the next three years after this season, with the last year a team option.

Made a lot of sense once you mentioned it, because that reminded me of seeing she’s a rookie (in the W at least).

Rare Spotrac site mistake. They have her listed as a FA.

Fine then. I’ll crazy fantasy roster with a massive frontline -
- Clark
- Mitchell
- Sabally
- Boston
- Stewie (yeah, I’m sure she’s happy in NY)

Regardless, huge possibilities this offseason with virtually the entire significant roster of the contender Sun as FAs too.

[cdubbz]

Yeah that was interesting! I thought the same as you -- it was just as bad as it sounded. Maybe she's a big city girl and doesn't like living in that area is a thought I had, but she also said she's never been a free agent and is excited to see how that goes. Fever are in a good spot i think in terms of big contracts since Boston, Clark aren't due for a few years.

Ah, found it. You figure a 7th season vet would know how that would be perceived.
Alas, it could be a nothing burger.

She did go to Ohio State, so the midwest should be nothing new.

I don’t think she holds any kind of personal dislike, but wonder if she doesn’t love the Clark hoopla and being relegated to being in her shadow?

eg - scores 36 in a win today. Headline on ESPN’s recap is about Clark having 28.

Read on Twitter

Yeah who knows that could definitely play a part in her decision! On the otehr hand KM hasn't gotten the shine in her first 6 seasons like she should have and now she's being seen on a bigger stage next to Clark and SHE'S DOMINATING. I really wonder how much athletes in the WNBA care about headlines though since they're not typically used to it. So it's hard for me to think KM would get mad that CC is getting all the attention. Who knows.

[RSCD3_]

Probably won't matter for this game (hard to imagine the Sky beating the Lynx in Minny), but man Cardoso looks fantastic and it's good to see her getting so many touches.

I wish chicago didnt have that pick swap that they didnt need to throw in because damn would paige be perfect for this team

I dont know if they stay in the 8th or they fail to make the playoffs (if they're as lucky as can be they could get the #2 pick, if Dallas get's the #1, but im curious how they plan to fix the giant playmaking and spacing holes because reese and cardoso need shooters and people who dont look away when they have a 5'8 defender on their back to miss a contested midrange stepback

I havent been too familiar with what they could get in the draft, if they did get #2 they might be better off trading down because idk how they could have Kiki, Kamilla, and Angel in an offense that already struggles to get their bigs shots

[boogiezen]

With the expansion draft in December, Indian can core Mitchell.

[Green Chile]

Probably won't matter for this game (hard to imagine the Sky beating the Lynx in Minny), but man Cardoso looks fantastic and it's good to see her getting so many touches.

I wish chicago didnt have that pick swap that they didnt need to throw in because damn would paige be perfect for this team

I dont know if they stay in the 8th or they fail to make the playoffs (if they're as lucky as can be they could get the #2 pick, if Dallas get's the #1, but im curious how they plan to fix the giant playmaking and spacing holes because reese and cardoso need shooters and people who dont look away when they have a 5'8 defender on their back to miss a contested midrange stepback

I havent been too familiar with what they could get in the draft, if they did get #2 they might be better off trading down because idk how they could have Kiki, Kamilla, and Angel in an offense that already struggles to get their bigs shots

It sounds like this draft is pretty deep with guards, even after Paige.
And they get 2 picks, and I'd imagine they'll both be guards.

[Green Chile]

With the expansion draft in December, Indian can core Mitchell.

Isn't she a free-agent?

[MrDollarBills]

Hard to see her to want to leave. Hope she sticks around to win a Championship with Boston, Clark, & Smith. Homegrown draft picks winning a ring together. Fever have dynasty potential with the young roster.

Someone posted a Kelsey interview here not that long ago. Her quote made it seem like she didn’t seem enthused at all about the idea of returning. Time will tell what she actually does, but I’d have been disappointed if I were a passionate fan of any team/any sport and heard that response.

Maybe she was having a bad day, bad moment, but it should be near automatic to be able to deliver a canned line in that situation, especially as a pro. Yet she couldn’t even muster that up.

I found it in another message board, but couldn’t find a link-

Kelsey Mitchell on her reaction to the Fever hosting the 2025 ASG: “I guess, I was excited. Obviously, I’ve been in Indy for the last years of my life. But I’m excited that Indy gets a chance to host it. Shoutout to Indy for that, I’m excited for them.”

I saw the video. It was just as bad as the above could sound.

Yeah that was interesting! I thought the same as you -- it was just as bad as it sounded. Maybe she's a big city girl and doesn't like living in that area is a thought I had, but she also said she's never been a free agent and is excited to see how that goes. Fever are in a good spot i think in terms of big contracts since Boston, Clark aren't due for a few years.

I remember that interview and it did sound bad.

Maybe she feels like she's not in the Fever's future plans, which would be absurd if you're the Fever front office, especially after the way she's been destroying people post Olympic break.

OR maybe she wants a change of scenery? She's from Ohio, went to college in Ohio and played in Indiana ever since 2018.

I think more money + winning will fix this but you never know.

She should definitely entertain the free agent process though. She's earned it.

[Green Chile]

I don't think it would be surprising if Kelsey wanted out.

Certainly no fault of Caitlin's, but playing under this type of scrutiny and attention isn't for everybody. It happens to some degree playing with any star player. There's always the "none of the credit/all of the blame" factor, but this is on steroids.

The Fever are playing great, and imo, more importantly, seem to be having fun. But early on in this season, it had to be incredibly stressful.

And it still goes on. Kelsey was voted "Most over-rated" just a little over a week ago on the WNBA subreddit.

And think about how many times this season you've heard "if only Caitlin's teammates could catch or make a layup......."
There are places on social media where people count every mistake.

And, when it seems like she hasn't missed in weeks, you know the drill. She's only open because of Caitlin, etc.

If she goes cold in a Playoff series? Every missed shot or mistake will be plastered everywhere.

None of this Caitlin's fault. She's an amazing kid and teammate, and should end up being one of the all-time greats (seems inevitable is she stays healthy).

But there's going to be an unprecedented amount of scrutiny and attention that comes with that may not be everybody's cup of tea.

[boogiezen]

With the expansion draft in December, Indian can core Mitchell.

Isn't she a free-agent?

She is. But the Fever can core her. Because of the whole Expansion draft.

I doubt Mitchell wanted to leave the Fever because of the scrutiny or off court pressure. She has been in the league for 7 years and this is the first time she's going to play in the playoffs (assuming the Fever continues to win). I think at the end of the day, it's all about the money. I won't be surprised if she's going to sign a 1 year deal with the Fever and then re-negotiate next year with the new CBA.